Bar Cup

ABSTRACT

A translucent bar cup with indicia defined thereon that allows a user such as a bartender or a customer to visualize and measure the amount of drinks in the cup. The bar cup allows the user to visualize the measurement of the contents in the container while pouring the necessary ingredients to mix a drink, thereby can assist the user to deliver more accurate pours.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to a bar cup, and more particularly, it relates to a translucent cup that has volume indicia on the cup and which are visible through the cup such that a person pouring a liquid into the cup can see the desired volume while looking into the cup.

2. Description of the Related Art

Measurement of the ingredients in a cocktail is very important. The addition of a small amount of some ingredients can have a large effect on the outcome of the cocktail. In order to attract consumers, many bars have begun to increase the variety of cocktails with different physical appearances and styles on their menu. The process of making these drinks has becoming increasingly complex, which makes the measurement of the ingredients in a drink even more important. However, the tools used to make alcoholic beverages often are cumbersome and time consuming to use if the user wants to ensure the accuracy of the measurements.

In addition, in order to attract and entertain customers, bartenders prefer or sometimes are even required to practice flair bartending, which may require quick manipulation of bar tools, for example, drink shakers and/or liquor bottles. Some flair bartenders incorporate juggling into their routines and others mix and pour multiple drinks at once, sometimes by stacking shakers on top of one another. In this case, it is even more difficult for a bartender to measure the quantities of the ingredients being poured.

Furthermore, for both flair bartending and normal bartending practices, accuracy is important to bar managers and owners as well because over-pouring wastes drinks (for example, alcohol) and results in diminished profits. Similarly, under pouring requires the bartender to remake a drink, wasting valuable time. Using existing shakers and devices a bartender may combine the ingredients of a drink or beverage into the shaker and miscalculate the measurements, resulting in an over-pour or under-pour.

Thus, in light of the above, there is a need for a simple and easy to use measuring and serving all-in-one device that would allow the servers as well as the customers to visualize the measurement of the drinks being served and facilitate accurate pours.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is a translucent bar cup with indicia defined thereon that allows a user such as a bartender or a customer to visualize and measure the amount of beverage contents in the cup while the ingredients are being poured into the cup and while the bartender is looking into the cup.

In some of its many embodiments, the present invention provides a container body with a translucent sidewall and measuring indicia that enable a user to visualize the contents within the container from a top view or a side view of the cup. A user, particularly a bartender, may visualize the measurement of the contents in the container while pouring the necessary ingredients to mix a drink. In some embodiments, the bar cup may provide a gripping zone with additional indentations or a recessed thumb grip area where a user may rest his or her thumb on while holding the cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and additional features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the design of the present invention for a translucent bar cup with measuring lines printed thereon according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the translucent bar cup illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the translucent bar cup illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of translucent bar cup with measuring lines printed thereon.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views illustrating the bar cup of the present invention in use, FIG. 5A being a side elevation view of a user, such as a bartender, measuring a drink into the cup and visualizing the volume therein through the upper opening in the bar cup, and FIG. 5B being a perspective view showing the bartender's point of view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with several features of the present invention, various exemplary embodiments of a bar cup 10 having measuring indicia printed thereon are disclosed herein and in the accompanying figures. In several embodiments, bar cup 10 provides measuring indicia formed, preferably, by printing thereon to enable the user to visually assess the measurement of the drinks that are being served while looking into the upper opening of the bar cup 10, thereby quickly and easily ensuring the accuracy of the volume of liquid, for example alcohol or liquor, being poured into bar cup 10 while mixing a drink without requiring separate measuring utensils.

One embodiment of a bar cup 10 constructed in accordance with several features of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. With reference to FIG. 1, the bar cup 10 comprises a container body 15, which in several embodiments may be constructed by one or more rigid or semi-rigid materials, for example, fiber glass, polymers like polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyethylene, or any combination of these materials or the like, such that the container body 15 is adapted to provide a protective enclosure for the beverage to be mixed and served therein. The container body 15 may be constructed in various sizes based on the need of the user. For example, the 34 bar cup 10 may be constructed to hold 16 oz, 12 oz, 9 oz, and 3 oz of various types of beverages. The container body 15 may also be in various shapes. For example, the container body 15 illustrated in FIG. 1 is substantially frusto-conical. It will be appreciated that the frusto-conical shape of the preferred embodiment allows a plurality of bar cups to be nested together for storage. However, the container body 15 can also be generally cylindrical. It will be recognized that a variety of shapes in different sizes may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the container body 15 defines a sidewall member 12 having an upper end 14 and a lower end 16 and a base member 18. The sidewall member 12 extends upwardly from the base member 18. The upper end 14 of the sidewall member 12 defines an opening 20 for allowing access to the interior of the container body 15. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the sidewall member 12 defines a frusto-conical container body 15, which, as will be readily recognized by those skilled in the art, allows a plurality of bar cups 10 to be nested in one another for shipping and/or storage. The upper end 14 is preferably provided with an outwardly rolled supporting edge 22.

Pursuant to several features of the present general invention, the container body 15 is substantially translucent such that a preparer of a mixed beverage can see the the volume(s) of liquids being dispensed into the bar cup 10. It should be appreciated that translucent, as used herein, encompasses a wide range of translucency, including transparent. Further, the user/customer is able to visualize the contents within the container body 15 by looking through the sidewall member 12. In several embodiments, at least the sidewall member 12 is translucent. In these embodiments, the sidewall member 12 is preferably formed from any suitable material having translucent properties. While it is to be understood that the base member 18 may also be transparent, it is not required by the invention.

Pursuant to several features of the present invention, various measuring indicia are provided along the sidewall member 12 of the bar cup 10 to assist a user in visualizing the measurement of the contents in bar cup 10 while pouring the necessary ingredients to mix a drink. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the measuring indicia 24 may be defined by measuring lines. Various other markings such as dots, rectangular indicia, and the like, may be used to illustrate the measuring indicia without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While, the measuring indicia also may be illustrated through indentations, or other means that would provide a visible contrast between the measuring indicia 24 and the sidewall member 12, in the preferred embodiment, the measuring indicia 24 is printed on an exterior surface of sidewall member 12. For example, in one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the measuring indicia 24 on the sidewall member 12 are opaque with the sidewall member 12 being translucent or transparent. In this manner, measuring indicia 24 is visible through the exterior of the sidewall member 12 such that a user is able to visualize the measurement of the contents within the bar cup 10 from the outside while looking through the opening 20 of the bar cup 10.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the measuring indicia defined by one measuring line 24. As illustrated, the measuring line 24 extends circumferentially and latitudinally around the container body 15. The measuring line 24 in this embodiment is defined at a position proximal to the upper end 14 of the container body 15 to indicate a measurement of approximately 16 oz in volume. However, the number and placement of measuring indicia on the sidewall member 12 may vary.

For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, measuring indicia 24 is defined by two measuring lines, 24A and 24B, that are disposed on translucent sidewall member 12 at a position proximal to the lower end 16 of the container body 15. The two measuring lines, 24A and 24B, are printed, or circumscribed, about the circumference of the container body 15. In the preferred embodiment, measuring line 24B indicates a volume of approximately 1.5 ounces±0.25 ounces, while measuring line 24A indicates a volume of approximately 3.0 ounces±0.25 ounces. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a standard “shot” of alcohol is approximately 1.5 ounces. Thus, measuring lines 24B and 24A represent the volume of a shot and a double shot, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, measuring lines 24A and 24B are substantially parallel to horizontal dimension of the cup and is also substantially parallel to each other.

Measuring indicia 24, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, along with measuring indicia 24A and 24B as illustrated in FIG. 4, as stated above contrast with the translucent sidewall member 12, and, preferably, are opaque and printed on translucent sidewall member 12. In this manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 a and 5 b, a user, for example bartender 40 can visualize whether a particular anticipated amount of drink, such as beverage 44 flowing from tap 45, has been poured into the bar cup 10, while looking into the interior volume of bar cup 10 along line of sight 25. FIG. 5 b represents a “point-of-view” perspective of a user looking into bar cup 10′.

Pursuant to several features of the present general invention, the container body 15 may include a griping section 26. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a gripping section 26 is defined at the upper end 14 of the sidewall member 12. Perferably, the gripping section 26 is defined by a plurality of indentations 28 which extends around the circumference of the sidewall member 12. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, indentations 28 are disposed at the upper 14 end of sidewall member 12. The depth of the hollowed portion of the indentations 28 may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in various embodiments of the present invention, the griping section 26 may also be formed through variance of textures, protrusions or other techniques that provide support for a user while holding or manipulating the cup. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art, that the gripping section 26 could also function as measuring indicia to indicate a selected volume within the bar cup 10. For instance, the gripping section 26 could be positioned on translucent sidewall member 12 such that the upper or lower edge of the gripping section 26 could indicate a selected volume within bar cup 10.

In addition, pursuant to several features of the present invention, the sidewall member 12 of the container body 15 may include a recessed thumb grip area 32. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circular recessed thumb grip area 32 is defined within the gripping zone 26 and is also indented into the surface of the sidewall member 12. The shape and the size of the recessed thumb grip area 32 correspond to the average size of an adult's thumb. In general, it is approximately 0.75 square inches in area. Thus, the user may rest his or her thumb into the recessed thumb grip area 32 while holding the cup, which will provide the user with more comfort and support. However, it will be understood that other shapes and size may be used to define the recessed thumb grip area without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

From the foregoing, it will be recognized that a bar cup has been provided which, in several embodiments, provides indicia identifying the measurement of alcohol pours in a drink. The indicia allow a bartender to visualize and assess the amount of alcohol when mixing a drink or pouring from a tap. The present invention may be used, for example, at bars, restaurants, at home, at coffee/tea houses or any number of other establishments serving beverages.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bar cup adapted for measuring, serving, and consuming beverages, wherein said cup is adapted to allow a beverage preparer to measure a selected volume of an ingredient for said beverage, said bar cup comprising: a container body defined by a base member, a translucent sidewall member extending upwardly from said base member and terminating in an upper opening, such that said container body is adapted for receiving and containing a poured liquid; and at least a first measuring indicia printed on an exterior surface of said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible through said translucent sidewall member and positioned on said sidewall member so as to designate a first selected volume of a poured liquid, whereby the beverage preparer can readily discern when said selected volume of a poured liquid has been poured into said bar cup by viewing said selected volume of a poured liquid and said measuring indicia through said upper opening of said bar cup.
 2. The bar cup of claim 1 wherein said container body is substantially frusto-conical whereby said bar cups are adapted to allow a plurality of said bar cups to be nested together for storage.
 3. The bar cup of claim 1 wherein said selected volume is selected from a group of volumes for standard alcoholic beverages.
 4. The bar cup of claim 3 wherein said selected volume is approximately 1.5 ounces.
 5. The bar cup of claim 4 wherein said bar cup comprises a second measuring indicia printed on an exterior surface of said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible through said translucent sidewall member and positioned on said sidewall member so as to designate a second selected volume of a poured liquid, whereby the beverage preparer can readily discern when said second selected volume of a poured liquid has been poured into said bar cup by viewing said selected volume of a poured liquid and said measuring indicia through said upper opening of said bar cup.
 6. The bar cup of claim 5 wherein said second selected volume is approximately 3.0 ounces.
 7. The bar cup of claim 1 wherein said measuring indicia is defined by at least one line circumscribed about a circumference of said translucent sidewall member.
 8. The bar cup of claim 1 wherein said measuring indicia on the sidewall of the cup is printed with at least one color, wherein said color contrasts with said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible when viewed through said translucent sidewall member from said upper opening of said bar cup.
 9. The bar cup of claim 1 wherein said translucent sidewall member includes a gripping section.
 10. The bar cup of claim 9 wherein said translucent sidewall member includes a recessed thumb-grip area formed within said gripping section.
 11. The bar cup of claim 9 wherein said gripping section is defined by a plurality of indentations disposed in said translucent sidewall member.
 12. A bar cup adapted for measuring, serving, and consuming beverages, wherein said cup is adapted to allow a beverage preparer to measure a selected volume of an ingredient for said beverage, said bar cup comprising: a container body defined by a base member, a translucent sidewall member extending upwardly from said base member and terminating in an upper opening, such that said container body is adapted for receiving and a poured liquid; a first measuring indicia printed on an exterior surface of said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible through said translucent sidewall member and positioned on said sidewall member so as to designate a first selected volume of a poured liquid, whereby the beverage preparer can readily discern when said first selected volume of a poured liquid has been poured into said bar cup by viewing said first selected volume of a poured liquid and said measuring indicia through said upper opening of said bar cup; and a second measuring indicia printed on an exterior surface of said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible through said translucent sidewall member and positioned on said sidewall member so as to designate a second selected volume of a poured liquid, whereby the beverage preparer can readily discern when said second selected volume of a poured liquid has been poured into said bar cup by viewing said selected volume of a poured liquid and said measuring indicia through said upper opening of said bar cup.
 13. The bar cup of claim 13 wherein said container body is adapted to allow a plurality of said bar cups to be nested together for storage.
 14. The bar cup of claim 12 wherein said first selected volume and said second selected volume are each selected from a group of volumes for standard alcoholic beverages.
 15. The bar cup of claim 14 wherein said first selected volume is approximately 1.5 ounces and further wherein said second selected volume is approximately 3.0 ounces.
 16. The bar cup of claim 12 wherein said measuring indicia are defined by at least one line circumscribed about a circumference of said translucent sidewall member.
 17. The bar cup of claim 12 wherein said sidewall member includes a gripping section.
 18. The bar cup of claim 17 wherein said sidewall member includes a recessed thumb-grip area formed within said gripping section.
 19. The bar cup of claim 17 wherein said gripping section is defined by a plurality of indentations disposed in said translucent sidewall member.
 20. A bar cup adapted for measuring, serving, and consuming beverages, wherein said cup is adapted to allow a beverage preparer to measure a selected volume of an ingredient for said beverage, said bar cup comprising: a container body defined by a base member, a translucent sidewall member extending upwardly from said base member and terminating in an upper opening, such that said container body is adapted for receiving and containing a poured liquid, and further wherein said container body is adapted to allow a plurality of said bar cups to be nested together for storage; a first measuring indicia defined by at least one line circumscribed about a circumference of said translucent sidewall member, wherein said first measuring indicia is printed on an exterior surface of said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible through said translucent sidewall member and positioned on said sidewall member so as to designate a first selected volume of a poured liquid, whereby the beverage preparer can readily discern when said first selected volume of a poured liquid has been poured into said bar cup by viewing said first selected volume of a poured liquid and said measuring indicia through said upper opening of said bar cup; a second measuring indicia defined by at least one line circumscribed about a circumference of said translucent sidewall member, wherein said second measuring indicia is printed on an exterior surface of said translucent sidewall member so as to be visible through said translucent sidewall member and positioned on said sidewall member so as to designate a second selected volume of a poured liquid, whereby the beverage preparer can readily discern when said second selected volume of a poured liquid has been poured into said bar cup by viewing said selected volume of a poured liquid and said measuring indicia through said upper opening of said bar cup, wherein said first selected volume is approximately 1.5 ounces and further wherein said second selected volume is approximately 3.0 ounces; and at least one gripping section disposed on said sidewall member, wherein said at least one gripping section is defined by a plurality indentations, said gripping section further including a recessed thumb-grip area formed within said gripping section. 